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It's like a badly chosen present. The outside wrapping is perfect, with a pretty ribbon to top it off. When you look inside though, the contents of the box aren't very impressive. You'll probably never use it or end up giving it to someone else.

These are the words I'd use to describe Jigoku Shoujo, a series strongly recommended to me by a friend. I was told the art was amazing, and it was. The story, however, is far from it.

The art and sound are what constitute as the wrapping paper. Every detail is immaculate, the character designs are vibrant, and every time Ai says "Want to try dying once?" it sends shivers down my spine. It deserves a warm hand of applause in that department.

However, where the animators succeeded, the writers failed spectacularly. It's not that the story is unappealing or lacks interest. There's plenty of that. Who wouldn't be intrigued about a girl sending evil wrong-doers to hell? The problem arises when each episode's format becomes obviously and unbearably identical. Upon watching the second episode, warning bells were sent ringing through my head when I realized that the mechanics were the same each time.

Basically: A person is abused or wronged by someone else who is unapologetic and is unable to see their own acts as unjustified. The victim seeks a solution and calls upon Ai for help. However, they hesitate when she reveals that they too would be dragged down into hell when they died. In the end though, the victims are driven to the point of desperation by their tormentors and give in. Jigoku shoujo then proceeds to carry out the revenge. Evil person is sent to hell. Former victim is emancipated, but each look at the scar that appears on their chest as a reminder of what will happen to them when they die.

There. Shoot me. I just spoiled at least 20 episodes for you.

This anime is episodic, but it's episodic to the extreme. Each episode presents a different set of characters and circumstances, but will almost always follow the storyline I presented above. So it wasn't until episode 22 that I saw a new type of plot as the season started to wind down to a close.

Needless to say, this sort of plot greatly disappointed me. I basically fell asleep on episode 4 and simply skipped 15 episodes. Now this is where I shoot myself in the foot. So, if I haven't watched the majority of the show, how can I really rate this as mediocre? ... True. I don't have complete authority on this matter, but it simply represents my opinion. I did end up taking the time to read the individual episode synopses on wikipedia, and it indicated that I didn't really miss much.

I realize there are those who will be completely enraptured by Jigoku Shoujo's plot. It's simply a matter of taste. I prefer a plot that progresses in great strides, while some love to watch a well formed plot system that simply changes its details while laughing sadistically at the misfortunes that befall the characters. But as always, it's up to you, the viewer, to choose.

I just hope I wasn't too forceful with my bitter commentary. o_o. read more

Still creepy, still mysterious, still fascinating, and still cryptic, xxxHOLiC Kei is the follow up to the first Holic, bringing along with it a new raft of ideas.

The new season does many of the same things as the previous. There's more of the supernatural, more cultural insights, and more social commentary. Ghosts, spirits, and psychics all return en masse, escorted by Mahjong lessons and the depravity of internet media.

Kei almost did everything the first Holic did brilliantly. "Almost" because there was just one element I found lacking compared to the original. There was decidedly less of the extremely creepy vibes that resonated from the first Holic. I wanted Kei to have its scary moments just like its predecessor, but alas, there were none. (Of course this is also the most subjective opinion I have up here, so don't take it for granted.)

However, Kei did well in respect to bringing up some more social concerns just like the first season. One small example being the introduction of Watanuki's newest friend, Kohane. Through her, Kei gives another candid view of society and how the problem of prejudice affects people. Of course, this wouldn't be xxxHOLiC without more mind-boggling questions about fate, destiny, and choices. They're another integral part of the anime, helping to make the story even more compelling.

With respect to the plot, Kei started off on the wrong foot for me. The very first story arc seemed rushed, with too little preamble to make the flow natural. Yet in the overall scheme of things, it became clear that the individual episodes were once again the agents of character development. This realization made me appreciate how the plot was truly structured, and to other viewers, the slightly rickety pace will become clearer as the series progresses.

Hence, moving on into character development, it has to be said that there was remarkably more in Kei as opposed to the first Holic. True, Watanuki still performs his insane stunts of protest against Doumeki's stoic nature, and Himawari still comments that they're the best of friends. However, Watanuki does develop, changing the group's dynamic considerably throughout the course of the series. As for Yuuko... well, she's still a combination of a serious all-knowing psychic goddess and frivolous alcoholic, but that's just another one of the reasons I can't stop watching.

In the fields of art and sound, much of Kei is similar to its predecessor. People still have arms and legs that are a little too long, but the artwork still retains its great quality. Heck, even the food looks appetizing.
It turns out that there were some differences in sound, but only with the opening song. It was a little more upbeat than the old one, and definitely retracted from the ominous ambiance. Other than that, I still considered it quite catchy.

Regardless of all of the above, I was glued to this show and couldn't let it go. I laughed at the comedy, shivered at the creepy parts, and felt sad whenever misfortune fell upon the characters (well, not really). Anyone who loved the first Holic absolutely must get their hands on Kei. And while they're at that, let's all keep an eye out for a third season. read more

Prepare to be taken on a tour de force through the world of the supernatural. Or maybe just a regular tour. I wouldn't know. Having only recently experienced the genre of "supernatural" anime, xxxHOLiC (hereby referred to as simply "Holic") was a breath of fresh air from my usual action/fantasy fare.

The story behind Holic is intriguing and interesting, revolving around spirits, ghosts, and the very strange. Geared towards an older and more sophisticated audience, there's little action, but loads of thought-provoking and amazingly insightful dialogue. Holic is the kind of anime that gets your mind pumping about topics such as fate, destiny, and one's purpose in life. Plus, there's a side to it that makes statements about how people live and society in general. Not to mention that it's educational as well. Holic offers an insight into a part of Japanese culture that most people rarely see.

Concerning the plot, however, Holic is another anime that is driven by episodic events. There seems to be no real overall direction for the story. Normally, this would leave me feeling slightly cheated and unsatisfied, but after surviving through the likes of Ouran and the Wallflower, I've come to accept that the episodic plot system is a genre on its own and it's here to stay.

Unfortunately, a plot that doesn't know where it's going hurts any character development. The characters are well made, with their own distinct personalities, but stay relatively the same throughout the course of the plot. No one shows very much significant growth. Granted, everyone is wiser and better, having learned the lessons distributed throughout 24 episodes of madness. Perhaps that's the elusive character growth that I've been looking for?

In terms of artwork, the artistic foundations were laid down in the manga by the increasingly popular mangaka group CLAMP. And they've done a very good job. Yuuko's wardrobe is definitely something to pay attention to (ahem), and though everyone has ridiculously long arms, legs, and necks, it actually provides a sense of levity in a serious setting (that, and the alcoholism). Alas, there's a slight issue with the fact that only the characters important to the plot are actually drawn in. Any bodies that are only required to be "fillers" (like a bunch of random people at a supermarket) are not colored and lack faces. In my opinion, it has symbolic meaning, but it could also be attributed to pure laziness. Dunno which to choose.

Oh, and speaking of laziness, the sound was great. Loved the opening theme, but didn't really pay attention to the background music. Voice-acting was top notch, especially with all the high pitched and slightly unique voices coming from characters like Mokona, Maru, and Moro. That is all.

In the enjoyment section: I finished Holic in the space of a week, and indeed, I was completely hooked. I savored every bit of supernatural strangeness, and I'll be looking for more with the second season.

Finally, Holic certainly isn't unique, for there seems to be an ever-growing list of anime that deal with the supernatural, the occult, and just really weird stuff in general. But as a starter series for the newly-converted, it's definitely worth watching. read more

Having been a mecha/military anime fan for as long as I can remember, Full Metal Panic (hereby referred to as FMP) was a treat for me. It was the combination of serious military/political action and amusing comedy/romance. That being said, it becomes evident that FMP is a hotchpotch of genres, breaking free from the traditional single-minded seriousness that's often the standard of military themed anime (not that I'd know what traditional would be)

Story
Set in what slightly resembles today's world, FMP tells the story of Sgt./Specialist Sousuke Sagara and the exploits of the pseudo-UNish organization of peace, MITHRIL. (it would make a killer acronym.. actually, it probably is) That's the gist of the plot, which flows smoothly, creating an alternate universe that's believable. In fact, it's so believable that you can't help but get pulled into it.

Being the sort of person that appreciates a healthy twist in the plot every once in a while, FMP offers quite a lot of unexpected moments of suspense scattered throughout the fog of your typical action scenes.

The best part of FMP for me, which many people tend to overlook, is the sheer amount of realism applied throughout the plot. Being a military otaku myself, it was kinda self-gratifying to see accurate depictions of AEGIS class missile cruisers, Los Angeles class submarines and.. well... Sousuke's guns.

Art
First thing I thought after watching was "their noses are too pointy." Then, "Wow, that C-17 Globemaster III looks so cool o_O" ... Yeah, that's about it.

Sound
It seemed adequate, but didn't impress much. ... Really, what else do you want me to say?

Character
The characters are vibrant, varied, and very likable. Sousuke's otakuness and social ineptitude are the catalysts for most of the comical scenes in FMP, while Kaname's aggressiveness (tsundere, anyone?) and her chronic Sousuke-beating sessions exacerbate said catalyzed circumstances. But does this dynamic ever change? Not really. The one weak point I see is the inadequate amount of character growth. There are some changes the viewers see with respect to Sousuke's emotional capacity, but largely, the characters remain relatively identical to when the series started. In fact, it's The Second Raid that manages to build upon this more effectively than the first season. So when the series winds down to a close, Sousuke will still be incapable of giving a girl a proper gift, and Kaname will keep beating him up. But that's why we keep watching.

Enjoyment
10/10 guaranteed. The comedy was brilliant, with plenty of Sousuke-driven faux pas to laugh at. In terms of the serious parts, they leave you breathless for more... in a strange asphyxiating kind of way... read more

Holy Crap.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Final Plus: The Chosen Future. The title's such a mouthful, you'd think it would have equal amounts of substance to it.

...But there's almost none. Maybe it's my fault for jumping in without knowing this is mostly a re-do/recap of SEED Destiny's final episode, but at first I thought I was watching the wrong video. Slowly, but surely, I began to notice the insignificantly infrequent extra scenes and realized that this was the OVA I'd eagerly awaited (for about 5 minutes) to see.

Basically, I wasted a valuable hour of my time. I already knew what would happen from watching the final episode of the actual series, so Final Plus was no longer enjoyable. In fact, it was quite the grueling experience. Watching a re-do held absolutely no suspense, no excitement, and no emotion at all. The so-called "newly added scenes" were parts I could've lived without seeing. The only section remotely worth seeing is the final 8 or so minutes which were completely new scenes never seen in the final episode. But seriously, I could've spent my 50 minutes doing something else...

So please. Do yourself a favor. Instead of watching this OVA, do something productive. Watch something else. Perhaps the Hellsing Ultimate OVA... just don't watch this. Heck, you can even go out and play sports or something... just DON'T DO IT!!! read more

You'd think Sunrise would be busy creating their much acclaimed Code Geass series, but considering that they've managed to make another Gundam series in between the two, they're probably not

Nevertheless, this hasn't retracted much from Gundam 00 in any way at all. Whether you're a die hard fan or a newcomer to the most famous mecha series of all time, you won't be disappointed.

Story
Set in a much more believable future than its predecessors, Gundam 00 builds upon a plot many Full Metal Panic fans are familiar with. An organization that attempts to enforce peace by intervening in all military conflicts. Right, 'nuff said. Since FMP already capitalized on this years ago. Gundam 00 loses points on originality.
However, that's no reason to be deterred, because the series still manages to tell an impressively organized story. Much of the plot jumps around, because of the wealth of characters involved, but all the individual stories of the various factions managed to weave around each other seamlessly.
The downside to this is that sometimes, you may feel that particular episodes focus too much on characters you don't really want to see. (It does happen).

Art
Oh wow, new technology has been kind to Sunrise studios. Many think that once you've seen one Gundam, you've seen them all. Well, think again. The mechas in Gundam 00 look much more flashier and cleaner than ever before. Kudos to Sunrise for the animation as well. It's hard to tell if a sequence is being repeated, and everything comes together smoothly.

Sound
Voice acting, special effects, and BGMs. All perfectly done. Or at least as close to perfect as possible. On the subject of the themes, I don't know about anyone else, but I've added every single opening/closing from Gundam 00 to my music library. The songs fit the series perfectly with their uplifting and vibrant beats that also hint at certain dark elements in the plot.
Just to put this into perspective, this is coming from a guy who's gotten a C or worse in every music class he's ever been in... just so you know.

Character
The most interesting part of Gundam 00 has to be it's character lineup. Like most military anime, the cast can be divided up by the factions they belong to. Using this principle, you get 4 main groups. The members of Celestial Being (of which the Gundam "Meisters" are most identifiable), the AEU (the egotistical ace, Patrick Colasour), the Union (Captain Graham Acre and his flag pilots), and the Human Reformation League (Colonel Sergei Smirnov and his team). Of these 4 groups, Celestial Being is best represented, and the viewers gain insight into their pasts, their personalities, and their secrets. However, the presentation of the three other global military powers leaves something to be desired. Granted, they are supporting/extra characters, but the main thing that irritated me was that I knew nothing about Captain Acre, who probably appears the most out of all the other military supporting characters.

Of course, I'm missing two other parties, namely the engineering student Saji Crossroad and the Princess of Azadistan, Marina Ismail. These are the civilian characters who are more affected by the war instead of taking part. And this, is the genius of Gundam 00. In addition to watching the progression of the war, the audience is shown the effects. This provides a sense of reality and offers a darker side to the show.
There are those that will criticize, saying that the civilians weaken the focus on the Gundams, but I personally think they're a fresh breath of air... when Saji's not being generally annoying.

But why? Why did it get a 6?

Because of the presentation. The producers must have been at a loss as to how they'd introduce all of their characters at the same time. What followed was a pitiful attempt, where nearly all characters were unveiled on the very first episode with little to no preamble. This created much unwanted confusion as to who was who and what their purpose was. Plus, because there are so many characters, not enough of them get enough screen-time (my previous grievance with Acre). There are so many characters I would love to know more about, but with too little time, it becomes impossible.

Overall
Gundam 00 is still amazing. It's fresh, it's new, and the battle scenes are out-of-this-world. You'll love the plot, and the vibrant characters that come with it. Plus, you don't have to feel guilty while watching cus no one's doing any mind-controlling. Yet.

I apologize for any lapses in grammar, spelling, or sanity I may have had while writing this review. read more

Erm. Yes, I'm advocating for the positive side of Naruto... Just don't shoot the messenger :P

Currently, there are 26 reviews written for Naruto, out of which roughly more than half advocate that Naruto sucks, is not worth watching, and is simply overrated.
Right. So we know that the fillers are horrible, the plot's "typically shounen" and Sakura never does a single thing. But why exactly has Naruto become so popular? What makes it tick? What keeps reeling in the dough for Kishimoto?

There are a variety of reasons.

Naruto is the very embodiment of the shounen psyche. It deals with some common fundamental themes that appeal to the audience. Valuing your friends, never giving up, and challenging the status quo are just a couple messages conveyed by Naruto's plight. And we, the viewers, can relate to those themes. Supposedly.

Then of course, are the insane battle scenes. True, some battles are incapable of suspending disbelief, as you think "that's doesn't make sense." Then there are the parts where someone has to explain every move he makes. However, overall, the animation, the music, and the "situation" all add up into something that excites and awakens the ninja within us. (Wow, that was corny)

There's also a fair bit of humor involved. Most of it is slapstick comedy, such as the teasing born from the Naruto-Sasuke rivalry, while other comic scenes truly manage to touch the humerus (episode 101, anyone?). However, some of the older viewers are nonplussed by many scenes which simply come across as stupid and juvenile. Though i'm sure Kishimoto knew crass humor is a double edged sword at times.

Finally, Naruto is often geared towards younger viewers. Yes, those little midgets everyone ignores on internet forums and discussion boards (lovingly referred to as "Narutards") are probably the greatest reason why Naruto has gained such popularity.

This review was hastily manufactured at 3:12am.
Please excuse any lapses in grammar, spelling, and sanity I may have had in writing this review. read more

Full Metal Alchemist.
Synonymous to: Amazing.
Yes, I am well aware that there are probably more rave reviews for FMA than necessary, but I seriously could not help myself. It had to be said. :3

Story
The plot is nothing short of brilliant. It twists and spirals more than a rollercoster, yet provides depth, and is easy to pick-up and follow. The introductory episodes, which can also be considered as the 'flashback' episodes, are sometimes bland, but once the real plot gets going, you'll get hooked immediately. Of course, even the flashback episodes themselves have their own merits, as they provide much appreciated character development and establish the foundations of FMA as a whole (such as Ed and Al's quest, why they lost their bodies). Plus, they're usually high on action and are often times better than you'd think.
Once the real story does pick up, FMA spins its web of tales in earnest. Each show reveals little by little, the overall goal of the homunculi, their identities, and where the anime seems to be heading. Plus, the show does an amazing job in weaving the character relationships. Nearly every recurring character is somehow involved in the overall plot, no matter how random they might be. In the final stages of the series, all of these connected characters are brought together, providing the audience with a resolution that satisfies immensely. Though the occasional incongruity keeps it from being a true masterpiece, FMA does earn its 10 by keeping me hooked with a plot that's fluid and a pleasure to watch

Art
I don't consider myself the best art critic out there, but I'd still have to give high marks here as well. Nothing in the anime seems ridiculously complicated or simplified, and everything is visually appealing. Unless you're a truly seasoned anime connoisseur, chances are that you'll be satisfied with the animation regardless of the reviewer's opinion.

Sound
Square Enix contributed to the production of FMA. And wherever Square Enix goes, good music is bound to follow.
This might be too much of a generalization, but for FMA, it holds true. The background music mends in seamlessly with the rest of the sounds such as the special effects and the dialogue, but also manages to help evoke emotions within the audience
However, the main reason for FMA's spectacular performance in the sound category are the opening and closing themes. In my personal opinion, one of the best anime song collections are the openings of this particular series. I mean, who hasn't gone crazy with an air guitar pretending to play AKFG's "Rewrite" ? ... or is that just me?

Character
Finally, the area I believe that FMA truly shines in every aspect. I touched upon the characters somewhat while praising the plot, and I'll go into more depth here.
The characters encountered are probably some of the most dynamic and well-rounded ever created. I've heard many people complain about how Ed and Al never really managed to beat an enemy outright, and how their fights sometimes seem boring. Well, I'd hate to break it to those folks, but it would be even more boring if the protagonists won every single battle without a sweat. Not every encounter can be flashy and brilliant, and that is what provides a sense of reality here. In addition, most characters give the impression that they're actually simple and predictable, but when it really counts, you'll be surprised at how different they can be. It definitely adds to the personalities of the characters and makes them seem much more realistic. One of the most striking examples of this duality is Maes Hughes. He's the type of character who can knock you off your chair with laughter one second, then make you cry the next. And he's not the only one. Many of the main and supporting characters have different sides to their personality, and discovering each of those is quite the experience.
In terms of relationships between characters, FMA doesn't disappoint. Every character is in some way, shape, or form related to the others. And none of them feel like a stretch. Even though most of the characters are from all over the place and seem to be random additions, it always turns out that they were placed for a reason. In many anime, meetings between characters are often shown as chance occurrences, or fated encounters if you will. But FMA is deviously well-crafted to the point the audience would eventually think that it was obvious that a certain character was tied to someone else.

Enjoyment
One of the main factors of enjoyment in FMA is the comic relief. It's extremely well done so you truly feel that it doesn't detract from the overall seriousness of the plot. This is probably because the hilarity and levity is well balanced by equally serious and slightly darker elements. However, you will literally fall off your chair/couch/sofa/bed at least once while watching this. I guarantee it... but don't take my word for it.

Overall
Perhaps in the far future, if anime still retains its popularity amongst western (and even eastern) audiences, Full Metal Alchemist will be one of those titles included in the "classic anime titles you must watch" section. It certainly deserves its place in history as one of the best fantasy/shounen anime of the early 21st century.

*please forgive any lapses in spelling, grammar, or sanity I may have had in the process of writing this review* read more

Edit 8/08/2008
When I see the ratings people give to Fate/stay night, I can't help but be amazed at how highly it scores. Overall, I couldn't help but feel F/sn was an overrated, mediocre anime with an unreasonable fanbase.
Reasons why:

Story
A mythical and mysterious tournament for the holy grail takes place, and the protagonist is dragged into it. Then epic battles ensue between the masters and their servants, until of course, one emerges as the victor. Let's see... a "mystical"... "tournament"... where you have to save the world by winning. Oh. Wow. That has to be the basis for at least half the shounen anime out there. If it loses points for ingenuity, it could redeem itself by being dynamic, or at least intriguing. But of course, the Shirou-Saber duo must confront successive enemies, one at a time. I could sum up the whole series by listing the enemies the protagonists face.
That being said, F/sn was adapted from an eroge game. Doesn't it seem that there are a little too many of those popping up lately? It doesn't help the plot at all that some scenes actually didn't show everything that happens (for obvious reasons). Usually it simply confuses the audience. Heck, it confused the heck out of me... until I read the summary on Wikipedia. And when you have to actually look up the plot to understand what happened... you're in trouble.

Art & Sound
I have nothing against the visual and audio effects. The music sounds epic, the opening and closing themes were ok (but not awesome) The artwork was beautifully done, though it might've helped if the characters (namely Shirou) changed clothes once in a while.

Character
This is where F/s n fails sadly. Character development is sparse, except for perhaps Shirou and Saber. We see Saber's slow change from an unfeeling servant into a person with... well, more emotions than she used to have. Shirou stays the same, to much chagrin, trying to save the universe all the time.
The horror starts when you try to focus on other characters. Rin and Archer to be exact. We're given absolutely no background information about Archer's past or what kind of character he is.(Same goes for many of the other supporting characters) All he does is fight. Little to no screen time is devoted to developing him as a character. He's basically a character you wouldn't pay attention to, even though his role as the second female protagonist's servant should warrant some importance.
Then comes Rin. There are some flashbacks that allow the audience to glean some information of her past, but her sudden spontaneous relationships with the other characters are largely unexplained. Of course, as a fighter, she resembles the classic damsel-in-distress character who tries to fight, but has to be saved by Shirou. If she's such a capable magician, then why does it seem that all she does is constantly fail so almighty Shirou can swoop in and save the day? Plus, let's face it. Those so-called "jewel bombs" are an utter joke.
It doesn't help that Shirou is also sexist, saying that Saber should stay home when she could easily kill him without a thought. All talk with no brains to back it up. I wouldn't particularly mind if there was some thought about developing him, but alas, he doesn't change at all.. almost as if the producers are telling us he's a perfect character. I could go on.

Conclusion
Fate/stay night is sensational, with devoted sound and artwork. However when you try to delve into the actual plot, there are many points that leave much to be desired. There are many positive aspects, many of which I did not touch upon, and others may feel that my criticism is too harsh. As the viewer, ... or whoever's reading this... it's up to you to make the decision to watch. (You're probably sick of hearing this) read more